What Are Permanent Dentures & How Do They Work?

by | Oct 2, 2024 | Dental Bridge, Dental Implants

Losing your natural teeth can be a challenging experience, leaving you with concerns about how to restore your smile and maintain your oral health. At Melbourne Dental Implant & Sleep Centre, we offer an advanced solution—permanent dentures. 

Unlike traditional removable dentures, permanent dentures, also known as implant supported dentures, are securely anchored to your jawbone, providing a stable, long-lasting, and natural-looking option for replacing missing teeth.

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of permanent dentures, the procedures involved, and why they might be the ideal choice for restoring both your smile and confidence.

Understanding Permanent Dentures

Permanent Dentures

Permanent dentures, also referred to as implant-supported dentures, are prosthetic dental devices that are firmly attached to the jawbone using dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures that rest on the gums, permanent dentures are designed to offer enhanced stability, function, and aesthetics. These implants allow your dentures to function just like natural teeth, enabling you to eat, speak, and smile with ease.

The procedure involves placing titanium implants into the jawbone, which act as secure foundations for your new teeth. Over time, the implants fuse with the bone, creating a durable, stable base that supports the denture.

The Benefits of Permanent Dentures

Permanent dentures offer numerous advantages over traditional removable dentures, making them an increasingly popular choice for patients seeking a long-term solution to missing teeth.

Enhanced Stability and Comfort

With permanent dentures, you won’t have to worry about your teeth slipping or shifting during everyday activities like eating or speaking. These dentures are securely anchored to your jawbone, providing a level of stability that is simply not possible with traditional dentures. This added stability enhances both comfort and confidence, allowing you to enjoy your favourite foods and social interactions without discomfort or embarrassment.

Improved Oral Health

Traditional dentures can contribute to bone loss in the jaw over time. Permanent dentures, however, help maintain bone health by stimulating the jawbone, similar to natural tooth roots. This stimulation prevents the bone loss and sunken facial appearance that can occur with missing teeth, preserving the natural contours of your face.

Convenience and Easy Maintenance

Permanent Dentures

One of the key benefits of permanent dentures is the convenience they offer. Unlike removable dentures that require daily removal and special cleaning, permanent dentures can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth. This makes oral hygiene simpler and more straightforward, helping you maintain healthy gums and teeth over the long term.

Enhanced Aesthetics and Confidence

At Melbourne Dental Implant & Sleep Centre, our permanent dentures are custom-made to closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. This attention to detail ensures a seamless, natural-looking result that blends perfectly with your existing teeth. The aesthetic improvement offered by permanent dentures can boost your self-esteem, giving you the confidence to smile freely once again.

The Permanent Denture Procedure

The process of getting permanent dentures, or implant supported dentures, is carefully planned to ensure a successful and long-lasting result. Here’s what you can expect:

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a comprehensive consultation, where we assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and determine if permanent dentures are the right solution for you. This initial visit includes X-rays or 3D scans, which help us develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Dental Implant Placement

The first major step in the process is the surgical placement of dental implants. These titanium posts are inserted into your jawbone, acting as anchors for your permanent dentures. This procedure is performed with precision and care to ensure the best possible outcome.

Healing and Osseointegration

After the implants are placed, a healing period is necessary to allow the implants to fuse with your jawbone—a process known as osseointegration. This step is critical for ensuring the stability and durability of your permanent dentures. During this time, you may be fitted with temporary dentures to maintain functionality and appearance while your implants heal.

Denture Fabrication

While the implants integrate with your jawbone, we will design and create your permanent dentures. These custom-made prosthetics are carefully crafted to ensure a perfect fit and natural appearance, offering both functionality and aesthetics.

Denture Placement and Adjustments

Once the implants have fully integrated and your permanent dentures are ready, we will attach them to the implants. Minor adjustments may be necessary to ensure a precise and comfortable fit. With proper care, your new smile will be both beautiful and long-lasting.

Permanent Partial Dentures

For patients missing only a few teeth, permanent partial dentures are an excellent option. These dentures are designed to replace one or more missing teeth and can be attached to your remaining natural teeth or dental implants. The procedure for permanent partial dentures is similar to that of full dentures, involving implant placement, healing, and the creation of a custom-made denture.

The Cost of Permanent Dentures

In Australia, the cost of permanent dentures, or implant-supported dentures, typically ranges between $9,000-18,000 per arch, depending on several factors, including the number of teeth being replaced, the complexity of your case, and the materials used. While the initial cost may be higher than traditional dentures, the long-term benefits—such as improved stability, oral health, and aesthetics—make permanent dentures a worthwhile investment.

Regain Your Confidence with Permanent Dentures

At Melbourne Dental Implant & Sleep Centre, we believe that permanent dentures are a transformative solution for those who have lost teeth. By choosing implant supported dentures you can experience exceptional stability, improved oral health, and a natural-looking smile that restores both confidence and functionality.

If you’re considering permanent dentures in Melbourne, our experienced team is here to guide you through every step of the process. Call us at 1800 IMPLANT to schedule a consultation with one of our experts and begin your journey to a beautiful, lasting smile.

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